Researchers reveal personality traits that could add years to your life

Want to live longer? The secret might be as simple as describing yourself as 'active' - a trait linked to a remarkable 21 per cent lower risk of death, according to groundbreaking new research that's turning traditional health advice on its head.

While we've long known that exercise, diet and not smoking are crucial for longevity, a major study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research has found that specific personality traits can be better predictors of mortality risk than broader categories like extraversion, with being organized, active, and helpful potentially extending life expectancy.

This isn't just another piece of feel-good research. The findings could pave the way for new tools to predict health risks, not just from blood pressure and cholesterol levels but also from individual personality traits—meaning your next GP visit might include questions about how you see yourself, not just how you feel physically.

Why being 'active' tops the longevity list

The study found that the trait of being 'active' was most strongly associated with a lower risk of death during the study period, with participants who described themselves as such having a 21 per cent lower risk, even when accounting for age, gender, and medical conditions.

But here's what makes this research particularly fascinating: other traits like being lively, organized, responsible, hard-working, thorough, and helpful also closely followed in their association with longevity, showing it's not just about being conscientious or extroverted; it's about being hard-working and thorough or lively and active.

For Australians over 60, this research offers both hope and practical guidance. Currently, Australian life expectancy sits at 81.1 years for males and 85.1 years for females—but these new findings suggest that how you describe yourself might influence which end of that spectrum you land on.

The science behind specific traits

The study's precision sets it apart from previous research, suggesting personality works not just as a general influence but as a set of specific behaviors and attitudes with measurable impact on longevity. The research analysed more than 22,000 adults across four major studies with follow-up periods spanning six to 28 years.

What's particularly encouraging is that conscientiousness has consistently emerged as the strongest personality predictor of longevity across multiple studies. But the latest research goes deeper, showing that every standard deviation higher in traits like order, traditionalism, virtue, and responsibility was related to an approximately 10 per cent reduced risk of mortality, while industriousness was associated with an almost 25 per cent lower likelihood of mortality.

What this means for Australian seniors

The flip side of these positive traits also matters. The research shows that frequent stress and anxiety may be linked to a shorter lifespan, with people who rated themselves high on tendencies like being moody, anxious or easily upset more likely to die earlier.

But before you start trying to completely overhaul your personality, the researchers are keen to stress these findings aren't deterministic. You're not doomed to die early because you worry too much, nor guaranteed longevity because you're supremely organised.

The research shows that a higher propensity to be organized, responsible, compliant with social and moral norms, and hardworking is related to lower mortality risk when controlling for demographic factors—but lifestyle factors still play a crucial role.

The practical pathways to longevity

So how might these personality traits actually extend life? The researchers suggest several mechanisms at work.

Being 'organised' might help people stick to routines that improve health, but it may also reflect underlying psychological resilience or social habits that contribute to a longer life. Think about it: organised people are more likely to take medications on schedule, keep medical appointments, and maintain healthy routines.

Active people, meanwhile, don't just get more physical exercise—they tend to engage more with life, maintain social connections, and approach challenges with energy rather than resignation.

Australian healthcare implications

The research has particularly interesting implications for Australia's ageing population. Over the past decade, life expectancy at birth increased by 1.0 years for males and 0.8 years for females, but life expectancy in Australia has fallen slightly for the second straight year—making new approaches to longevity more crucial than ever.

Samuel Henry, a research fellow at Tartu University, suggests the practical implications could be revolutionary for healthcare: if health services could incorporate personality screening into routine assessments, it might help flag people who are at risk because their behaviour patterns suggest difficulties with managing long-term health.

Imagine your GP asking not just about your symptoms, but about how you see yourself. Someone who doesn't feel 'active' might need more support to get moving, while someone who doesn't see themselves as 'organised' might struggle to keep up with medications.

The bigger picture on personality and health

This research builds on decades of work showing links between personality and longevity. Previous research has established good evidence that higher levels of conscientiousness and lower levels of hostility and 'distressed' personality are associated with greater longevity.

But what's revolutionary about this latest study is its focus on the specific words people use to describe themselves, rather than broad personality categories.

The study found that these specific traits predicted mortality risks better than the five broader traits commonly used to summarize personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism.

For those concerned about whether personality can actually be changed, there's encouraging news. Research suggests that while core personality traits are relatively stable, specific behaviors and attitudes—like being more organised or more active—can indeed be developed with effort and practice.

A balanced perspective

It's important not to oversell these findings. The researchers emphasise that lifestyle and clinical factors such as smoking, BMI, physical activity and chronic illness accounted for some but not all of the differences between personality and lifespan.

This means personality traits work alongside, not instead of, traditional health factors. Being organised won't save you from the health effects of smoking, but it might help you stick to a quit-smoking program. Being active in personality might encourage you to be more physically active too.

What's most exciting about this research is its potential to democratise longevity. While you can't change your genes or completely control your environment, you do have significant influence over how you approach life, how you organise yourself, and how actively you engage with the world around you.

Looking forward

The implications of this research extend far beyond individual health choices. There's growing recognition of the importance of psycho-behavioral factors in how humans age, making it necessary to analyse how these different aspects predict longevity and, above all, healthy longevity, including cognition, self-perceptions of aging, perceived control, wellbeing, and social support.

For Australian seniors, this research offers a refreshing perspective on ageing well. Rather than focusing solely on what you shouldn't do (don't smoke, don't drink too much, don't be sedentary), it highlights positive traits you can actively cultivate.

The next time someone asks how you'd describe yourself, you might want to consider whether words like 'active', 'organised', and 'helpful' feature in your answer. According to this research, those simple self-descriptions might be doing more for your longevity than you ever imagined.

What personality traits do you think have served you well over the years? Have you found that being organised or staying active has made a difference to your health and wellbeing? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.